OK, here's the deal .... all of us grownups know how insurance works, right? If you get collision coverage (and comprehensive), you get your car fixed up in case of accident minus a deductible. If you choose not to have collision coverage and go with liability only, then you are responsible for your car in case of accident. We all know this, right?

Guess what God-like law professor doesn't!

"When I was young, just got out of college, I had to buy auto insurance. I had a beat-up old car. And I won’t name the name of the insurance company, but there was a company — let’s call it Acme Insurance in Illinois. And I was paying my premiums every month. After about six months I got rear-ended and I called up Acme and said, I’d like to see if I can get my car repaired, and they laughed at me over the phone because really this was set up not to actually provide insurance; what it was set up was to meet the legal requirements. But it really wasn’t serious insurance."

It should also be noted that IF this story is correct (and far be it from ME to call POTUS a liar) IF he was rearended the OTHER driver would be liable. Shouldn't a law professor … even if he WAS a Con Law professor … KNOW this?

Great article over at Brietbarts called The Left Should Think Twice Before Charging ‘Racism’.

Excerpts:

Without Noah Webster’s knowledge, the definition of a “racist” has been diluted and redefined to mean “a person who disagrees with a liberal,” or in more explicit terms, “any individual who uses logic to divulge evidence of liberal malfeasance.”  For years, the left has used race as a bully tactic to smear and debunk those on the receiving end of the label.  This desperate and exploitative attempt at winning political arguments comes at a great cost to democracy, interpersonal relations and our nation’s internal progress.

We were given tickets to Ailey II.

 I am NOT a fan of modern dance for multiple reasons but I CAN appreciate the athleticism and the beauty and the artistry.  So here's a few observations from a beautiful night

1.  Modern dancers do not have to keep a  beat.  It's just not fair.

2.  Why do modern choreographers seem to REQUIRE people to run or walk backwards?  All three pieces included this "move."

3.  Why would ANYONE write music in 6/4, aqside from to make for interesting choreography?

Answers welcome.

Haven't reviewed a restaurant lately and since D and I had the opportunity to dine (eat just doesn't cover it) at Alana's last night I wanted to give her a shout out. D's dad LOVES the place and we're fortunate enough to accompany her parents there 2-3 times per year is is without a doubt the best “unknown” restaurant in C-bus. Parking in the back can be problematical but once you're in the door and up the steps you can count on being treated as someone special. The wine selection is always designed to complement the menu. The small bar is VERY well stocked. The specialty drinks are always elegant without being “foufy.” The service is as close to impeccable as I need.

And the menu. Last night I had what was perhaps the best meal of my life …. without a doubt it was in the top five. Cajun trout with dirty rice the the trinity. Buttery rich, chock full of flavor without being spicy. The accent was on the textures and tastes, not an effort to overspice or be hyper Cajun. Just delightful. And I was rude. I licked the plate. Don't even remember what D had. We finished up with a Mexican chocolate and pecan tort covered with salted caramel ice cream. That description does NOT do it justice.

This is NOT an inexpensive night out. Most entrees run $20 to $25 but take a chunk because you'll wanna dress it up with soup, appetizer and leave room for dessert. This is THE place in C-bus that I ALWAYS get excited about.

It's been too quiet around here lately and for that I apologize. Still getting used to working again. Been kinda waiting for something else to happen and finally realized that it isn't going to. I'm happy with my new position and I need to start molding my daily routine aroiund it. So. D and I enjoyed our Valentine's Day weekend THIS w/e since she was in Vegas on 2/14. We combined several Christmas gifts to make a nice couple of days and each of the three events merits it's own post so here we go.

On Friday night, during a Lvl 2 snow emergency we got to attend the Columbus Jazz Orchestra's evening with “Louis, Ella and Friends.” Byron Stripling, who has been cast to play Louis Armstrong in the Broadway production of “Sachmo” got the evening going with When the Saints Go Marching In and Tiger Rag. I managed to stifle the urge to yell WHOOOO DAT!. My wife seems to appreciate such urge stifling. The opening set was mainly Armstrong classics, delivered masterfully by all. The second “set” was my favorite. Dave Powers took over the box from Bobby Floyd and delivered on the “Friends” portion of the evening. I especially love the version of “Mama Loves Mambo” from the Perry Como Show. Powers asked the audience if they were familiar with Prez Prado and sadly I was the only person who responded. That just ain't right! And speaking of not right: Mr. P should keep his great pipes at the keyboard. The man moves like a white guy.

The evening was closed out by the talented Carmen Bradford doing the Ella portion. Very nice. We crossed paths with old friends Dave and Mary H – nice to chat with them. Also sat next to George and Eileen H – was GREAT to catch up with them. Line of the night from Byron Stripling. He was chatting with a first time attendee who asked “Are you guys local or professional?” As anyone in any of the arts can tell you that opinion is WAY too prevalent

Of course, this WOULDA been front page news a few years ago.

Obama Signs One-Year Extension of Patriot Act – on a Saturday Night Of Course

and

Obama Signs Patriot Act Extension: MSM and the Left Silent

And Phil over at the Uni Watch Blog notes “The 2010 Olympics from Vancouver, British Columbia, come to a close this evening, but there’s still some big excitement ahead today. Of course, I’m speaking of the Mens 50 km cross-country skiing, which will be held at 9:30 local time (12:30 ET). No, no…the big deal today, of course, is the much-awaited Gold Medal Hockey game between host Canada and the United States. For someone who absolutely loves the Winter Olympics, and who has been thoroughly entertained by these Games (if not by NBC’s coverage), this is the perfect topper to pretty much two perfect weeks.

Even if you’re not a hockey fan, if you’re an American (or a Canadian, but I needn’t remind them of this game), this is THE one to watch. We’ll awake Monday to return to our regularly scheduled programming, what with the NCAA tourney only weeks away, spring training in full swing, and the NFL draft and the NBA & NHL playoffs around the corner…sort of. But for one last day, winter reigns. The USA versus Canada begins at 3:15 ET (so, that’s 2:15 central, 1:15 mountain, and 12:15 pacific time). Grab a cold one, settle in, kick back, and enjoy some Olympic hockey — it doesn’t get any better than this.

Remember back when “Ramming it through” was bad ? The Anchoress et al do …. A left-center friend defended to me the Obama/Congress idea of ramming healthcare through.

I was surprised at the headline: What can President Obama learn from President Bush’s bipartisan successes?

Then I read the article.  It's lengthy, fact-filled and a GREAT primer on how to get things done as president.  It sets out Bush's approach to several legislative initiatives enacted both with the Republican majority and with a Democrat majority.   Each of the following major laws was enacted on a bipartisan vote:

• The 2001 tax cuts;
• the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001-2;
• the 2002 extension of Trade Promotion Authority;
• the 2003 medicare law;
• the 2005 energy law focused on electricity;
• the 2006 pension reform law;
• the 2007 energy law focused on fuel;
• the 2008 stimulus law;
• the 2008 housing reform law; and
• the 2008 TARP law.

The author observes six keys to Bush's success

1. He sometimes reached out to Congressional Democrats and negotiated directly with them, even at the expense of upsetting his Congressional Republican allies.
2. He knew how to count votes, and when not to rely on a razor-thin partisan margin for victory.
3. He knew how to nurture existing bipartisan discussions and alliances in Congress and turn them to his own advantage.
4. He was willing to preemptively split his own party when necessary to get a deal.
5. He knew when and how to split the other party, negotiating with Democrats who were potential supporters of a compromise and isolating those who would oppose a deal no matter what.
6. He and his allies generally stuck with a traditional legislative process, which builds credibility and makes members feel they are getting their fair shot, even if they lose a vote.

President Obama needs to learn each of these lesson, if only he could get over his air of superiority.